We're Only Human

 It's rather frustrating when people assume the worst.

Like I get why they do it. But it's frustrating when it happens and like the reality....isn't that. 

My Head Manager showed me a video the other day, where some people were dumpster diving behind one of our sister stores in another area of the country. And these divers discovered a box full of Bettas....that were alive. Said betas were shown still in blue water...meaning that they hadn't even made it onto the floor of the store yet. Because we change out the water so that it's no longer blue but clear so people can actually see the color of the bettas.

In any case.

Said video has apparently gone 'viral' to the point where higher ups have had to send out messages on what us managers need to tell people if they bring it up.

Because people are assuming the worst of our stores. That we're purposely throwing away animals in the trash that are perfectly healthy. 

And that's....not true.

Like, if this particular video isn't a hoax, then yes...it is true that bettas were found in a dumpster. But it's not like they were purposely put there. 

More than likely it was a complete accident. Someone not paying attention assumed it was an empty box. Someone dropped the ball. Got distracted at the wrong moment. 

In any case. 

An accident.

Because like...the slogan for the company for the past little bit has been "We'll do ANYTHING for Pets." And like within the company they've cracked down on policies and updated procedures. Ensuring that we're doing all we can to make sure that the animals are in the best conditions possible while in the store. Not overcrowded. In clean cages. Fed a variety diet of food. They've also gotten stricter on policies involving taking animals to the vet....but also more lenient on costs. It used to be that we had to get corporate approval to treat animals if the cost was over a certain amount of money. Now though? It's a "If the vet says to do it, then do it." sort of policy. Money doesn't matter. 

So like. The fact that people are just...out there saying that we "don't care for the animals" is sooooo irritating. Like we're doing all we can to make sure animals find their forever homes and are well cared for.

Does stuff slip through the cracks? For sure. Do we not notice an animal feeling sick right away? Yes. We're only human.

But we do what we can to treat as soon as we realize something is wrong.

So to have people coming out of the woodwork stating that our stores are tossing healthy animals in the trash on purpose?

Ugh. So. Very Irritating. 

NO. 

NO.

That is NOT SOMETHING WE DO.

If an animal is sick we take them to the vet. If an animal is healthy it goes to the floor. If an animal dies we have proper procedures to take care of such animals.

BUT.

That doesn't mean mistakes don't happen. After all we're only human. People aren't always observant. Don't always pay attention. Get distracted at the wrong moment.

Like I've accidentally thrown a hamster in the trash while doing bedding changes because I thought there was only one in there instead of two. (Yes I noticed and rescued the hamster) 

A coworker almost threw a tortoise in the trash because they thought the bag in the box was empty, and I only realized when I checked the paperwork and saw we were supposed to get one in but there wasn't one in the cage. Rescued it in time.

We had a conure discovered in one of our shipping boxes waiting to be taken out because we only were expecting one in the store and it stayed quiet and didn't move until HOURS later. 

Like yes. Even my store has had close calls with nearly throwing animals away.

But it's just from human error. It's not like we're purposely trying to throw them away. Accidents happen.

And I wish people would realize that and give us some slack. We do what we can for the animals to ensure that they're healthy and going to good homes.

All my coworkers love animals.

We wouldn't want to throw one in the trash.

And it's just hurtful that people think we're the type of store that would.

*exhales* 

Until you next find these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi